Chapter 1164: A New Teacher Joins
“Goodbye, Teacher Lu.”
After class, the students left in small groups, each of them casting a glance at the swordsman sitting inconspicuously in the corner as they passed through the door.
Only after all the students had left did Xue Shilou speak.
“Fellow Daoist Lu, you seem to be enjoying yourself,” Xue Shilou finally said after a long while.
Sword cultivators were generally not good with words, with the Taciturn Daoist Priest and Lu Yang being the two exceptions.
Xue Shilou truly didn’t know what to say. Teaching a group of students fist techniques at a martial arts school? And the students didn’t seem like they knew Lu Yang’s real identity; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been so indifferent.
Why are you teaching them? Teach me instead! How much is one lesson at this martial arts school? I’ll sign up too!
“Just experiencing a bit of life. I heard you have quite the reputation in the Extreme North, Fellow Daoist Xue,” Lu Yang teased.
At the Sword-Seeking Grand Ceremony, Xue Shilou had only been slightly well-known in the Extreme North. It’s just been a few years, and Xue Shilou has already become so famous in the Extreme North, even earning the title of the number one Sword Dao talent in the Extreme North.
With his cultivation at the Advanced Divine Transfiguration Stage, his talent was indeed sufficient for him to strut around the Extreme North unimpeded. Even if he encountered a great demon king, he could escape unscathed.
“It’s just the people flattering me. I’m far beneath you, Fellow Daoist Lu.” Xue Shilou knew that his fame was confined to the Extreme North. Beyond these lands, who would even recognize me?
Lu Yang was different. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that his name was known throughout the world.
Xue Shilou finally found a topic and took the initiative to continue the conversation. “That sword qi on the Frost Elephant King’s corpse is truly awe-inspiring. Even if I cultivate until the Transcendent Tribulation Stage, I wouldn’t have the confidence to unleash a sword strike that rivals it.
“I never expected there to be such a remarkable figure in our Extreme North. With a single sword strike, they slew four great demon kings cleanly and decisively, leaving sword qi that remains undiminished. I heard that one of Muxue City’s vice city lords, a sword cultivator, witnessed that sword qi and was so ashamed that he nearly abandoned the Sword Dao.”
Xue Shilou declared with conviction, “I have a feeling that the opportunity for my breakthrough to the Void Refinement Stage lies right here in Muxue City. By observing that sword qi and comprehending a fraction of its profound wonders, I’m certain it will elevate my sword intent to the next level.
“Speaking of which, why are you here in Muxue City, Fellow Daoist Lu? Are you also here to observe that sword qi?”
“Oh, I was the one who left that sword qi.”
“Cough, cough—” Xue Shilou burst into a fit of coughing. His face flushed red, and he nearly hacked up a lung.
“You?!”
Lu Yang was surprised by Xue Shilou’s intense reaction. “Didn’t you know, Fellow Daoist Xue? I’m at the Void Refinement Stage now, tempering myself here in the mundane world.”
“You’re already at the Void Refinement Stage?!” Xue Shilou coughed even harder.
At the Sword-Seeking Grand Ceremony, he had been at the Intermediate Divine Transfiguration Stage, while Lu Yang was at the Basic Divine Transfiguration Stage. Later, his senior brother had taken him along when smuggling across the border, getting them both captured by the Moon Laurel Immortal Palace. With their help, he had fully awakened his Snow Emperor Bloodline. After that, he had thrown himself into grueling cultivation in the Extreme North.
How has Lu Yang still surpassed me in cultivation speed?
“That’s not right. Even if you’re at the Void Refinement Stage and your cultivation fluctuates to the Fusion Stage, you still couldn’t have unleashed that sword strike!”
“Oh, that? It’s because when I broke through to the Void Refinement Stage and underwent my tribulation, I accidentally attracted an unprecedented lightning tribulation. As a result, my Void Refinement Stage is quite different from others—my cultivation realm fluctuates between the Qi Training Stage and the Transcendent Tribulation Stage.”
Xue Shilou was completely numb. I feel like I shouldn’t have come to Muxue City. Even if I consider my Dao heart to be firm, it can’t withstand such a relentless barrage of blows.
“Fellow Daoist Lu, will you be staying in Muxue City for long?”
“My cultivation realm keeps fluctuating; going somewhere else may be rather dangerous. I’ll be staying at this martial arts school for now.”
“Is the martial arts school still recruiting? Can I stay here, too?” Xue Shilou asked excitedly.
He had originally planned to stay in Muxue City for a while to study the sword qi on the Frost Elephant great demon king’s corpse. But now that Lu Yang is here, why bother with the Frost Elephant great demon king?
“You’ll have to ask Mister Murong about that. Oh, Mister Murong is the sect leader of the Tiger Roar Sect.”
Lu Yang saw through Xue Shilou’s intentions, but he didn’t mind. Regardless of who I teach, it’s still teaching.
Xue Shilou straightened his robes and went to pay his respects to the Tiger Roar Sect Leader.
He wasn’t worried about Murong You recognizing him. Although he was widely known, few in the Extreme North had seen what he actually looked like. It had only been a coincidence that he was recognized earlier. Someone had spotted him and shouted excitedly, prompting everyone else to follow the crowd and join the chase.
Of course, the most important reason was that he didn’t know any disguise techniques.
Sword cultivators are upright and aboveboard. How could we engage in such sneaky behavior?
Murong You’s cave abode was at the deepest part of the martial arts school’s back courtyard. Lu Yang led Xue Shilou there.
“Mister Murong, are you in?”
“Come in.”
Lu Yang and Xue Shilou entered.
“Little Lu, who is this?”
“Hello, Sect Leader Murong. My surname is Xue. I’m a friend of Teacher Lu. I would like to teach at the martial arts school.”
Murong You was stunned. “You’re Little Lu’s friend? Little Lu, have you regained your memory?”
“Part of it...”
Murong You was an old fox, instantly connecting the dots. Little Lu has regained a portion of his memory. He mustn’t be subjected to too many stimulating factors; recovery has to be gradual. To look after Little Lu, his friend has decided to stay at the martial arts school for a while.
“Teacher Xue, what’s your cultivation level, and what would you like to teach?”
“Basic Di-Foundation Establishment Stage. I have a bit of insight into swordsmanship. I can teach them sword techniques.”
“Sword techniques won’t do.” Murong You shook his head. “Swords are expensive items. Most of my students here come from poor families; they can’t even afford a sword. They won’t be able to use the sword techniques you teach them.”
Xue Shilou turned to Lu Yang for help. I don’t know anything else, though. Am I supposed to teach the students how to maintain their elegant bearing in battle and keep blood from splattering on their clothes?
Lu Yang stepped forward and spoke on Xue Shilou’s behalf. “He can teach rake techniques and shovel techniques.”
“Rake and shovel techniques? That will work.” Murong You’s eyes lit up. I didn’t expect Little Lu’s friend to know so many things.
Rakes and shovels were farming tools, but at a critical juncture, they could also serve as weapons. However, these weapons were fairly niche, and hardly anyone in Muxue City knew how to use them.
Do I know rake techniques and shovel techniques? Xue Shilou wondered to himself.
Indeed, I do know. As the saying goes, the three thousand Great Daos lead to the same destination. I have devoted myself to the sword and cultivated until the Divine Transfiguration Stage, and I more or less understand how other weapons should be used. Teaching a group of students would be more than manageable.
“As for your monthly stipend, how does five spirit stones a month sound?”
“Sure.” Xue Shilou didn’t care about the money.
“Then you will be staying next door to Little Lu.”
Having officially become a teacher, Xue Shilou could now legitimately stay at the martial arts school and seek Lu Yang’s guidance on sword techniques.
“Fellow Daoist Lu Yang, I have some questions about this sword technique...“
Lu Yang shot Xue Shilou a look. “What sword techniques? Do you know rake and shovel techniques? Go practice them yourself first; otherwise, how will you teach the students tomorrow?”
“Oh.”
On his first day at the Tiger Roar Martial Arts School, Xue Shilou learned how to use a rake and a shovel.
Comments